I'm pretty sure the reason they didn't make the playoffs this year had a lot more to do with a complete lack of pitching depth, aging players at key positions, injuries to players like Posada and Matsui, and horrible free agent deals like Pavano than it did anything to do with the hallowed ghosts roaming the halls.

The new Yankee Stadium will be a monstrosity designed to pump maximum $$$ out of every patron who comes in the place, no doubt. But the old Y.S. was in horrible ill repair, started collapsing in 2003, was completely outdated and cramped, and needed to be let out of its misery. People in Boston might get all nostalgic about Fenway, but when was the last time you had to navigate through cramped concourses, stand in line to use outdated and dilapidated bathrooms, sit wedged into uncomfortable seats forcing you to face an odd diretcion, and possibly have an obstructed view? Stadiums like Fenway and Wrigley are great for TV audiences, and perfect for spinning old yarns about a time gone by, but they are outdated and uncomfortable relics.

Another remnant of a simpler time hits the ash-heap of history.

Ahhh, Rich, not true. Have you actually been to Yankee Stadium? It was definitely not state of the art, but it was far from needing to be replaced. It could have been upgraded at a fraction of the cost...at no cost to the taxpayers who are getting screwed with the construction of the new stadium.